Since we’re going to be behind on covering their new LP, we thought we’d backtrack to THE LIVING EYES last record of 2014 – their Guilty Pleasures 7″ for Agitated Records. Continue reading “The Living Eyes – Guilty Pleasures 7″”
Tag: 2014
SD’s Top Records of 2014
Below you will find a list of records from 2014. They are separated by format and they are listed in no particular order. Compared to years past here at SD, this list is extremely condensed, but these records still represent our most recommended releases of 2014 and we can only hope these bands are back in 2015.
To begin, we covered around 90 different full-length albums this year…there are 40 of those listed below. If you want to listen or buy (good luck) any of these records, browse for them in the search bar on the top right.
Full Length Albums:
Shovels – s/t LP (Homeless Records)
Wand – Ganglion Reef LP (God? Records)
the People’s Temple – Musical Garden LP (Hozac Records)
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard – I’m In Your Mind Fuzz/ Oddments (Castle Face/ Flightless)
Average Times – s/t LP (Hosehead Records)
Watery Love – Decorative Feeding LP (In the Red Recordings)
Martyr Privates – s/t LP (Bedroom Suck/ Fire Records)
Straight Arrows – Rising LP (Hozac/ Agitated/ Rice is Nice Records)
Ausmuteants – Order of Operation LP (Goner Records)
Ultimate Painting – s/t LP (Trouble in Mind)
Purling Hiss – Weirdon (Drag City)
Musk – s/t LP (Holy Mountain Records)
Golden Pelicans – s/t 12″ (Total Punk Records)
Goat – Commune LP (Sub Pop)
Cellphone – Excellent Condition LP (Telephone Explosion)
Zig Zags – s/t LP (In the Red Recordings)
White Fence – For the Recently Found Innocent LP (Drag City)
Useless Eaters – Bleeding Moon LP (Castle Face)
Meatbodies – s/t LP (In the Red Recordings)
Buck Biloxi & the Fucks – s/t 12″ (Total Punk Records)
Buck Biloxi & the Fucks – Culture Demanufacturer 12″ (Red Lounge Records)
Ex Hex – Rips LP (Merge)
Eastlink – s/t LP (In the Red Recordings)
Endless Bummer – Volume 1 (In the Red Recordings)
Honey Radar – Chain Smoking on Easter LP (Treetop Sorbet/ Third Uncle Records)
So Cow – The Long Con LP (Goner Records)
the People’s Temple – Weekend’s Time LP (State Capital Records)
Manateees – Sit n’ Spin LP (Pelican Pow Wow)
Spray Paint – Clean Blood Regular Acid LP (Monofonus Press)
OBN III’s – Third Time to Harm LP (Tic Tac Totally)
Slushy – Pasttime Gardens LP (Grabbing Clouds Records)
Ex-Cult – Midnight Passenger LP (Goner Records)
Wreaths – s/t (Killing Horse Records)
Dinos Boys – Last Ones (Oops Baby Records)
Os Noctambulos/ Plantains – Split LP (Stolen Body Records)
Ruined Fortune – s/t LP (Hozac Records)
The Young – Chrome Cactus LP (Matador Records)
Verma – Sunrunner LP (Trouble in Mind)
Porno Mags – s/t LP (self-released)
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Then we covered at least 70 different 7″ singles… here are 28 of them.
7″ Singles:
the People’s Temple – Utopia 7″ (Agitated Records)
Negative Scanner – Ambitious People 7″ (Trouble in Mind)
Travel Check – $66 7″ (Howlin’ Banana Records)
Bad Axe – Coachman 7″ (Permanent Records)
Straight Arrows – Petrified 7″ (Agitated Records)
Ausmuteants – Stale White Boys Playing Stale Black Music 7″ EP (Easter Bilby)
Sheer Mag – s/t 7″ EP (Wilsuns Recording Company)
Aaron & the Burrs – Release the Bats 7″ (UT/ Feral Kid Records)
Pain Dimension – Brainwash 7″ EP (Croque Macadam/ Reqiuem Pour un Twister)
Wet Blankets – Dieter Caught My Bus 7″ (Goodbye Boozy)
TV Freaks – Leeches 7″ (Hosehead Records)
I Get Mynze – Big Whup 7″ (Pelican Pow Wow)
Suburban Homes – The Suburban Home 7″ EP (Market Square Recordings)
The Tone – American Bedroom (self-released)
the Abandos – s/t 7″ EP (self-released)
Total Heels – Barb Wire 7″ EP (self-released)
Yardsss/ Ex Rev – Split (Self Group)
Radar Eyes – Positive Feedback 7″ (Hozac Records)
Strange Attractor – Barely Doin’ Crime 7″ EP (Mammoth Cave)
Straight Arrows – Make Up Your Mind 7″ (Agitated Records)
Inutili/ Wand – Split 7″ (Aagoo/ Goodbye Boozy Records)
Advlts – s/t 7″ EP (Southpaw Records)
the Frowning Clouds – Beetle Bird 7″ (Goodbye Boozy)
Ex Hex – Hot and Cold 7″ (Merge)
Radar Eyes – Positive Feedback 7″ (Hozac Records)
Night Sun – No Pressure 7″ (Burger Records)
Lumpy & the Dumpers – Gnants in the Pisser 7″ (Total Punk)
Dan Melchior & Russel Walker – Split 7″ (Kill Shaman)
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Last but not least, we covered about 25 EPs in 2014…here are 10 of them, without counting any cassettes (there are too many of those, as everything gets released on cassette now).
EP and Cassettes:
Old Smile – Steep Blue Hill CS (self-released)
Likers – Men of Honor CS (Suicide Bong Tapes)
Mountain Bike – Demos CS (Howlin’ Banana Records)
Bicycle Day – I Had a Place to Be CS (Lollipop Records)
Dusty Mush – s/t 12″ EP (Howlin’ Banana Records)
the Beds – Ride Again CS (Ranch Records)
Jensen Serf Co. – Triple Freaks A Beach 12″ (self-released)
Gross Pointe – s/t CS (Dumpster Tapes)
Humanshapes – s/t EP (self-released)
Nuclear Family – s/t EP (self-released)
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There are plenty of reasons why it is always worthwhile to compile these lists: first and foremost, they’re fun – they remind you of all the great music you heard the last twelve months of your life. You also see some trends and patterns – for example, we heard a ton of Agitated Records releases in 2014, not to mention lots from Straight Arrows, Ausmuteants and Howlin’ Banana Records too, and you can’t forget the powerhouses – In The Red, Goodbye Boozy, Goner Records or Total Punk. As usual, we’ve missed out on a ton of great records too (the Achtungs, Fire Retarded, Mordecai, Lumpy & the Dumpers, Morgan Delt, etc).
Some added random closing thoughts: If we had to choose one single band to look out for in 2015, it’s probably WAND. If we had to choose one single record that we thought was overlooked this year, we’d pick the SHOVELS s/t on Homeless Records. If we had to pick one band from 2014 to see live again, it would be a tie between AUSMUTEANTS, WATERY LOVE and MEATBODIES.
Now looking forward into the new year, we hope to revert back to a regular posting schedule. After an extended absence here, we’re slowly but surely emerging again in 2015 – see you soon!
Straight Arrows – B-sides of 2014
Prior to dropping 2014’s Rising, the STRAIGHT ARROWS released a 7″ with the album’s lead single. After the LP dropped they released a 7″ specifically for their ensuing European tour, and both included a previously unreleased B-side track. Continue reading “Straight Arrows – B-sides of 2014”
Tight Genes – Viet Songs for Viet Kongs 7″ EP
TIGHT GENES have reemerged from the grizzly swamps of Orlando, FL bearing a brand new 7″ EP released by the tasteful humans at Ken Rock Records in Sweden. Continue reading “Tight Genes – Viet Songs for Viet Kongs 7″ EP”
Energy Slime – New Dimensional 7″
Jay Arner and Jessica Delisle are the duo behind ENERGY SLIME. Their new 7″ covers a vast mix of sounds in a brief sample of time, bringing to life a technicolor sisterworld of squishy synth pop. Continue reading “Energy Slime – New Dimensional 7″”
The People’s Temple, Hound, Bass Drum of Death Live in Philadelphia (10/09/14)
THE PEOPLE’S TEMPLE has been touring with BASS DRUM OF DEATH through the early fall for BDoD’s sophomore LP on Innovative Leisure, Rip This. The Barbary hosted the all ages show last night in Philadelphia, where both bands were joined by Philly-based psych-metal rippers HOUND – their new LP, Out of Time, comes out on SRA Records on November 28th (with a cassette to follow on Burger Records). The People’s Temple just released their new 12″ Weekends Time via State Capital Records, containing nine of their freshest tracks to date. Catch them below, playing a few songs from their other LP released this year by Hozac Records, Musical Garden.
Hound – “Little One”
“Little One” is a cut from Hound’s upcoming LP, and it was a monstrous way for them to close out their set last night.
The People’s Temple – “Handsome Nick”
The People’s Temple – “Crimson Rose”
The People’s Temple – “Sons of Stone”
The People’s Temple revisited the opening track from their debut album, the self-titled “Sons of Stone.” They ended their set with another from Sons of Stone, “Starstreamer,” which you can find on our YouTube channel right here.
BUY Hound’s LP from SRA Records
BUY the People’s Temple’s LP from State Capital Records
BUY Bass Drum of Death’s LP from Innovative Leisure
Ausmuteants, Dan’l Boone, Lantern Live in Philadelphia (09/30/14)
After tearing up Gonerfest last weekend, AUSMUTEANTS packed up and headed toward the east coast. They stopped in Philadelphia last night, where they were joined by DAN’L BOONE (Nate Young of Wolf Eyes, Alex Moskos of Drainolith, Charles Ballas of Formant, Neil Hagerty of the Howling Hex) and local Philly punks LANTERN. This once-in-a-lifetime event took place at Johnny Brenda’s in the lovely northern liberties neighborhood of Philadelphia, on a cool, breezy night where just about anything felt possible. Ausmuteants were here from way down under in Geelong, Australia, while Dan’l Boone seem to be based somewhere out of Colorado. Together each band added a different flavor to the pot: Ausmuteants brought the punk, Dan’l Boone brought the chaos, and Lantern brought the sludge. The end result is a night you should be sad you missed – find out why with these videos below!:
Ausmuteants – Tinnitus:
Ausmuteants – Fran Drescher’s Alien Abduction:
Lantern – Out of Our Heads:
If you haven’t heard “Freedom of Information,” the first single from Ausmuteants upcoming sophomore album Order of Operation, do it here and be on the lookout for a pre-order from Goner Records sooner than later.
BUY Lantern’s LP from Sophomore Lounge
BUY Dan’l Boone’s LP from Drag City
BUY Ausmuteants’ LP from Goner Records
Dan Melchior & Russel Walker – Kill Shaman 7″
Kill Shaman Records in Oakland drops a record every now and then when they see fit. Their most recent, a collaborative 7″ single between two largely prolific artists, Dan Melchior (Dan Melchior und Das Menace, Lloyd Pack) and Russel Walker (Pheromoans, Bomber Jackets, Lloyd Pack). Continue reading “Dan Melchior & Russel Walker – Kill Shaman 7″”
Humanshapes – s/t EP
Based in our lovely home in Philadelphia, HUMANSHAPES have just released a new digital EP. The songs were recorded at local hotspot the Golden Tea House, bringing to life a massively grungy and infectious sound. Continue reading “Humanshapes – s/t EP”
Hot Off the Press: Musk, Gunk, Suburban Homes, Yes I’m Leaving
Hot Off the Press this week: Based in Oakland, California, MUSK drops their debut self-titled LP (Holy Mountain), Philly-based post-punks GUNK have their new debut LP (Square of Opposition), the SUBURBAN HOMES of the UK have a brand new 7″ EP (Market Square Recordings), and last but not least, a new third LP from Sydney-based noise-freaks YES I’M LEAVING (Homeless).
Musk – s/t LP:
Holy Mountain Records in Portland returns with a purpose, and that purpose is the crushing debut from Oakland psychedelic-punks Musk. From the label itself: “It’s been a while since we had a new release but this one landed in our laps and we couldn’t be happier letting the leash out a bit and having these guys jump up on you until you tell us you like them or we find out you hate animals.” Gee thanks! No seriously, thanks. We’re glad you’re back and this threatening new album is the perfect way to pick things up again. Holy Mountain drops Musk on September 16th, and it’s overflowing with this doom-laden psychedelic snarl. Captured by Chris Woodhouse, these songs are drenched by a foul-smelling air, led by the psychotic howling of frontman Rob Fletcher. Just please don’t sleep on this:
Gunk – Gradual Shove LP: 
Based right here in our backyard, Gunk has just put the finishing touches on their new debut LP. Gradual Shove comes released on both vinyl and cassette formats, by Square of Opposition and Ranch Records, respectively. The LPs are limited to 500 copies and the cassettes are already sold out, so you’re going to want to snag this pronto. “Ice Cream,” their new lead single, is a wonky mixture of angular pop and post-punk, driven by breathy vocals and jangly guitars, all whipped around by a mess of radio-static noise. Get listening below.
Suburban Homes – The Suburban Home 7″ EP: 
Suburban Homes deliver slacker-esque, 70’s flavored punk rock from Crawley, West Sussex in the UK. Their new 7″ was released by the Market Square Recordings imprint, which is also based in the UK. Three songs are loaded onto their new 7″ EP – they’re short but sweet, brimming with gritty but melodic guitars with a sharp-edged fuzz. Vocals come with a grumble, bellowed out with a lazy, spoken-word tone. The single comes limited to 300 copies in three different colored sleeves. Get one now.
Yes I’m Leaving – Slow Release LP: Homeless Records in Australia has been cleaning up with a slew of new records this year. They continue their run with Slow Release, the fourth album from these Sydney-based noise-punks. Their sound comes infused with a gaping black hole of aggression, evidenced by the explosive wave of energy that sucks us up whole in “One.” It’s a calculated mess of menacing guitar noise and swirling heat, pushing us to the brink with rugged vocals and a crushing sense of destruction. You can pre-order the LP from Homeless now – the first 100 copies come on smokey haze colored vinyl. Witness their wild sound this November when they tour the United States!
Styrofoam Drone 